Shelby x Sick Love Zine

Zine

Apr 19

ABOUT SICK LOVE ZINE

As a space for young creatives to voice their opinions and specifically the issues they have faced, Sick Love is a space for marginalised communities to be heard and aims to offer constructive support and a platform to showcase their work. Through Sick Love, we encourage young creatives to promote their work whilst remaining socially critical, highlighting individual issues and mobilising social critique. Honest, unbiased, unflinching: we want to work with artists to ensure active change in the arts industries, working towards equal opportunities and diverse representation. Run by young people for young people, we are building a community that fosters productive collaboration and support.

Founded in 2020, Sick Love has used the past two years to build a strong creative network and facilitate creative connection through a variety of projects. These projects include publishing workshops, a pop-up party, online community events and charity fundraisers. We are committed to adapting to best support our community and continuing on our path to creating a community that supports and uplifts each other both on and offline.

As an independent zine we rely on the support of our audience to facilitate the growth of our platform and the continuation of our projects. We still have a long way to go and a lot more to give - we would be grateful for your support.

We interviewed Isobel Gorman-Buckley, Editor-in-Chief of Sick Love Zine, as part of our research for the Bristol + Bath Creative R+D programme to find out more about their work and how it relates to the topic of Amplified Publishing.

Shelby X: What's the backstory to Sick Love Zine? When did it start, why and who's involved?

Isobel: Sick Love was started as a platform to voice the issues that affect young creatives, most of which I felt were often excluded from the mainstream media. We launched in February 2020 and have since been publishing opinions online as well as in print. We have also curated multiple events to support our community both off and online, including publishing workshops and parties! When we first began it was just me, but we now have a wonderful team of regular contributors who create content for the site and help with the running. The team is so talented and passionate and have really brought this project to the next level.

Shelby X: Your tagline is 'print with purpose'? Could you speak on what that purpose is?

Isobel: Print has always been a powerful political tool - especially for those excluded from the mainstream media - and we wish to build on a long history of print with purpose through our bi-annual publications. Print with purpose applies to all using print as a radical form of media separate from the mainstream. Print has always been a method of platforming marginalised voices - we strive to continue this through our publications.

Shelby X: What are your views on independent vs mainstream publishing?

Isobel: I have only ever worked in independent press so I can't speak much on the logistics / technicalities of mainstream publishing, but I believe independent press to be a beautiful space where anybody can bring their passions to life. Self publishing especially is so special. It doesn't have to be commercialised - it can be a pure expression of creativity, emotion - whatever! I love that independent / small press is an accessible and honest space.

Shelby X: Sick Love Zine has a particular focus on young creatives, how and why do you centre young artists and their narratives?

Isobel:

I think, selfishly, because this is my narrative. I felt disconnected from the media I was supposed to consume as a young creative. I felt like it didn't apply to me, and no one was talking about the struggles, injustices and honesties of being in this position. The creative industries are hard to navigate, especially for marginalised people. I wanted to bring these discussions to the forefront in the hopes of helping and connecting those in similar positions.

Shelby X: What is Sick Love Zine most proud of creating? Have you got any exciting projects you'd like to share?

Isobel: I'm proud of our 1 year anniversary print 10 ZINE and the launch party that accompanied it. Both of these projects were major in our trajectory: first print, first party! It really opened a lot of doors for us. Although I feel we have developed a lot creatively since then it'll always be close to my heart. The new print I am working on at the moment is by far the best yet - but I can't reveal too soon! It'll be out at the end of March so keep your eyes peeled!